Cynthia Erivo ON: How to Take Small Steps to Achieving Your Goals & Why You Should Stop Questioning Your Ability To Achieve Them
May 1, 2023
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Cynthia Erivo, a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of taking small steps toward success. She emphasizes the need for compassion towards oneself and how creativity paired with discipline can lead to growth. Cynthia also discusses overcoming self-doubt, the vital role of empathy in acting, and the transformative power of collaboration in her career. Her insights inspire listeners to trust their instincts and embrace their unique paths.
Taking the first step is crucial for achieving success in your goals.
Immerse yourself in a character to portray their essence authentically on screen.
Communicating from a place of love involves understanding and expressing emotions openly.
Deep dives
Understanding Character Rhythm and Movement
When approaching a new character, the key is unlocking their rhythm to understand their internal essence. Observing their movement and pace reveals insights into their emotional state and intentions. By observing how they walk and talk, an actor can uncover the core of a character's motivation and personality, allowing for a deeper connection and portrayal on screen.
Character Immersion and Integration
Living within a character for an extended period blends the character's essence with the actor's being. After intense roles, actors like Cynthia Erivo may take months to shed these personas as they become an integral part of the actor's self. Letting go of these characters involves a gradual process of separation to distinguish between the actor and the roles they portray.
Personal Impact and Coping Strategies
Deep immersion in roles can impact an actor's personal life and relationships. Therapy can provide a crucial outlet for processing the emotional residue of intense character portrayals. Discussing these experiences helps in creating a healthy separation between the actor's identity and the characters they embody, facilitating a smoother transition back to their authentic self.
Importance of Communicating from a Place of Love
Communicating from a place of love involves understanding others and expressing emotions openly without fear. By focusing on creating mutual understanding and empathy, conversations can lead to positive outcomes and shared insights. It is about giving space for both parties to be heard, fostering deeper connections and resolving conflicts constructively.
Embracing Joy in Everyday Experiences
Seeking joy in everyday moments involves finding happiness in small achievements and simple pleasures. It is about appreciating the little things that bring positivity and fulfillment, such as organizing, interacting with others, or indulging in small treats. Cultivating joy daily creates a foundation for a more joyful and fulfilling life, where big successes become cherries on top of everyday happiness.
Today, I sit down with Cynthia Erivo to talk about following your passion and having compassion for yourself. Cynthia explains why taking the first step is a key to achieving success, turning passion into personal growth and career success, and how to change your mindset when you start doubting yourself.
Cynthia Erivo is a British actress, singer, and songwriter. She has acted in a number of films and television shows. Her film credits include roles in "Widows," "Bad Times at the El Royale," and "Harriet," for which she received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In addition to her acting career, Erivo is also a talented singer and songwriter. She has released several albums and performed at a number of high-profile events, including the 2021 Oscars.
You can order my new book 8 RULES OF LOVE at 8rulesoflove.com or at a retail store near you. You can also get the chance to see me live on my first ever world tour. This is a 90 minute interactive show where I will take you on a journey of finding, keeping and even letting go of love. Head to jayshettytour.comand find out if I'll be in a city near you. Thank you so much for all your support - I hope to see you soon.
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
00:14 Nothing feels more at home than to be with the people who share the same culture
04:16 Discipline and creativity is a combination that help improve our lives
08:07 If you’re hesitant to try something new, just start and you might be able to get over it
13:40 Having a loving and supportive people around you can contribute to your future success
17:34 Cynthia explains how she picks her roles and how each role resonates with her
20:32 When you meet a new character, how do you connect with them?
24:17 Being observant of other people’s habits and mannerisms helps in initiating conversations
27:24 How do you detach yourself from the character you play without losing your real identity?
32:35 What was your reason for going to therapy?
34:58 “You can’t truly process something if you’re just talking to yourself.”
35:40 What do you do when you feel like you aren’t good enough for something?
41:02 How do we approach a challenge together and make it work?
43:40 The beauty of working in an industry that you love and passionate about